[Tallguy]

"We could have a situation where on Monday, it first looks like there will be a war, on Friday troops are in Kuwait, and by (the next) Thursday they're in Baghdad," said John Pike, a defense analyst in Washington.

Pike is full of it, as usual. While all of this is theoretically within the capabilities of the US military, there's no way the US Army is going to move without adequate preparation of the battlefield -- including extensive bombing by tactical and strategic aircraft. Even Schwarzkopf wanted the Iraqi army attrited before he unleashed the ground war.

I still look for a long buildup, but with the troops based further away (beyond Scud range) than during Desert Shield/Desert Storm. The troops will rapidly close on their jump-off points from these new bases, but it'll still take a 6 month buildup.

[demlosers]

I still look for a long buildup, but with the troops based further away (beyond Scud range) than during Desert Shield/Desert Storm. The troops will rapidly close on their jump-off points from these new bases, but it'll still take a 6 month buildup.

Gee, if I was the Pentagon, I would be quietly pre-positioning as much equipment as possible in the region, and then some more. I'd bet the build up is in progress.